Sanctions News

The Daily Signal provides comprehensive sanctions news with reporting and conservative analysis on economic warfare strategies, Russian sanctions effectiveness, Iranian regime pressure, Chinese trade restrictions, and the debate over sanctions as foreign policy tools versus military intervention.
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    • Opinion

    Trump Administration Slaps Sanctions on Iran for Missile Test and Other Provocations

    The Trump administration followed through on Friday with a new round of sanctions on Iran, two days after National Security Advisor Michael Flynn announced that it was “officially putting Iran on notice” for a missile test and its hostile regional policies. The sanctions were targeted at 13 individuals and 12 entities for their support for…
    James Phillips
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    • Opinion

    US Sanctions North Korea for Human Rights Violations

    On July 6, the Obama administration imposed sanctions on North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and other senior North Korean individuals and organizations for human rights violations. This is the first time that the U.S. has designated North Korean entities for human rights abuses. The administration should be commended for finally acting upon the February…
    Bruce Klingner
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    • Opinion

    What’s Behind New UN Sanctions on North Korea

    After nearly two months of debate, the U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a new resolution (2270) to punish North Korea for its most recent violations of previous U.N. resolutions. The document augments earlier U.N. measures against Pyongyang, reflecting growing international concern and resolve to confront the regime’s defiance and expanding nuclear and missile capabilities. The…
    Bruce Klingner
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    • News

    World Watches How Iran, Now Free of Nuclear Sanctions, Will Act

    “Implementation day” of the nuclear deal among Iran, the U.S., and five other world powers came and went on Saturday after international inspectors confirmed that Tehran had fulfilled the terms of the agreement. The implications of the deal will play out over many years, as nations watch what Iran makes of itself now that Tehran has…
    Josh Siegel
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    • Opinion

    Implementation Day: Time for Iran to Cash In on Sanctions Relief and Hostages

    The arrival of Implementation Day triggered celebrations in Tehran. And well it should. Iran is now set to cash in, gaining access to an estimated $50 billion immediately and eventually pocketing up to one hundred billion dollars more in frozen assets as sanctions are lifted. In addition, Tehran recovered seven Iranians charged with sanctions violations in return for four…
    James Phillips
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    • Opinion

    While Iran Receives Billions From Lifted Sanctions, the U.S. Military Is Cut by Billions

    There are many reasons to think that the Iran nuclear deal is an awful agreement—one of those being the $150 billion (or so) that Iran will receive as sanctions are lifted. While Iran is receiving $150 billion, the U.S. military is struggling under cuts that total over $180 billion over the last four years. In…
    Justin Johnson
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    • News

    Michigan Could Keep Its Iran Sanctions Regardless of Washington’s Actions

    As Congress spends its August recess deliberating the Iran deal, Michigan has introduced two resolutions this week urging U.S. legislators to oppose the accord. The state House is also moving to preserve its sanctions against Tehran regardless of the agreement’s fate. “Certainly, there are several members of Congress both in the House and the Senate…
    Natalie Johnson
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    • News

    The Future of Nuclear Sanctions Against Iran, Explained in 90 Seconds

    Under a deal requiring Iran to curb its nuclear program, the United States and the broader international community will lift sanctions on Tehran imposed over several decades. The Obama administration has said the deal will give Iran relief from nuclear-related sanctions, and not impact other sanctions aimed at Tehran over its sponsorship of terrorism and…
    Alex Anderson
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    • News

    United Nations Report: Iranian Violations of Sanctions Are Going Unreported

    Countries monitoring the Iranian nuclear program are failing to report Iran for violating sanctions imposed against it, according to a United Nations report. The report also suggests that violations of the United Nations Security Council’s sanctions by the Iranian regime are going unreported because it would reflect poorly on Tehran as they negotiate a nuclear…
    Kate Scanlon
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    • Opinion

    U.S. Talks of Stronger North Korea Sanctions….and Talks…and Talks

    While in South Korea, Secretary of State John Kerry lambasted Pyongyang for its pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, flagrant disregard for international law, and human rights abuses. Kerry criticized the regime’s “provocative, destabilizing and repressive actions [and] unacceptable behavior.” To respond, Secretary Kerry declared international intent to “increase the pressure and increase the…
    Bruce Klingner
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    • Opinion

    Cyber Sanctions: The Right Move

    In the wake of constant cyber attacks and acts of cyber espionage against the United States, the President signed an Executive Order effectively initiating the first program to impose sanctions on foreign individuals who engage in destructive and malicious behavior in the cyber realm. This “national emergency,” which President Obama deemed imminent, has created the…
    Emily Runge
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    • News

    What You Need to Know About Congress’ Debate on Iran Sanctions

    In his State of the Union address, President Obama had a strong message for a Congress angling to impose new sanctions on Iran: stay out of my way. Obama argued that additional punishments would undermine ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Iran to prevent Tehran from having the capability to make a nuclear weapon. At…
    Josh Siegel
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    • Opinion

    Debunking Six Myths About North Korean Sanctions

    Myth 1. The U.S. and other nations face a policy choice between sanctions or engagement All instruments of national power should be used simultaneously in conjunction with each other as part of a comprehensive, integrated strategy. No tool is meant to be used in isolation, so statements such as “Sanctions by themselves won’t be effective”…
    Bruce Klingner
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    • News

    Obama Follows Europe in Expanding Sanctions on Russia

    Following the lead of the European Union, President Obama announced expanded sanctions against Russia Tuesday for supporting separatists in Ukraine. The latest American sanctions target Russia’s financial, energy and military sectors. The Treasury Department released a list of large Russian banks that are blocked from transactions with Americans, including the Bank of Moscow, the Russian…
    Josh Siegel
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    • Opinion

    Obama Sanctions Russian Firms Once Subsidized by Ex-Im Bank

    Two of the four Russian firms targeted for economic sanctions by President Obama this week received substantial subsidies from the Export-Import Bank. The financial ties highlight the complications inherent in U.S. taxpayer-financing of state-controlled outfits overseas. The president’s announcement of new sanctions on Wednesday followed weeks of warnings that Russia would face consequences for the…
    Diane Katz
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